Wondolowski wins second Budweiser Golden Boot

NEW YORK – With 27 goals this season, San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski has claimed the 2012 Budweiser Golden Boot, award to Major League Soccer’s top goal scorer at the end of each regular season.

With the 2012 honor, Wondolowski becomes the only player in MLS history to score the most regular season goals in three consecutive seasons. During the past three years, the prolific attacker earned two Budweiser Golden Boots and matched last season’s Golden Boot winner Dwayne De Rosario’s 16 goals as well.

Among his 27 goals this season, Wondolowski contributed two hat tricks (against Real Salt Lake on July 14 and Colorado Rapids on October 6) and 11 game-winning goals.

His 27 goals tie Major League Soccer’s all-time single-season goal record. The record is shared with Roy Lassiter, who scored 27 goals in 1996 – the League’s inaugural season.

Since entering MLS in 2005, Wondolowski has recorded a total of 68 league goals, 64 of which came after moving from Houston to San Jose in the middle of the 2009 season. He ranks twentieth all-time in MLS goal scoring , 2 behind number 19 Cobi Jones, and 2 ahead of number 21 Kenny Cooper.